Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District
National Register of Historic Places

Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District

Richmond (Independent City), Richmond County, Virginia
Listed
May 15, 2002
Type
District
Period
Civil War
Ref No.
02000521

About this property

Manchester is a former independent city in Virginia in the United States. Prior to receiving independent status, it served as the county seat of Chesterfield County, between 1870 and 1876. Today, it is a part of the city of Richmond, Virginia. Originally known as Manastoh and later Rocky Ridge, it was located on the south bank of the James River at the fall line opposite the state capital city of Richmond, on the north side of the river. Manchester was an active port city, and was a port of entry for slave ships principally in the 18th century. The port shipped out tobacco and coal which was transported 13 miles overland from the Midlothian-area mines on the Midlothian Turnpike, first paved toll road in Virginia in 1807, and the Chesterfield Railroad, the state's first in 1831. Manchester became an incorporated town in 1769 and an independent city in 1874. In 1910, it merged by mutual agreement with the larger state capital City of Richmond, achieving another "first" as the earliest of Virginia's independent cities to lose its identity. Today, "Old Manchester" is considered a neighborhood of Richmond. Many vestiges of its past are clearly visible, notably the courthouse, the Hull Street business district, a number of historic houses, and several former railroad and street railway buildings. As part of the community's African American heritage, a "slave trail" traces the route into the downtown area from where the slave ships docked along the river. Interstate 95, and four other major highways, U.S. Routes 1, 60, 301 and 360 all cross the James River and enter downtown Richmond from Manchester.

Location

Richmond (Independent City), Richmond County, Virginia
37.52217, -77.44729

Categories

ARCHITECTURECOMMERCEEDUCATIONENTERTAINMENT/RECREATIONPOLITICS/GOVERNMENTRELIGION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Church of the Sacred Heart
Industrial
0.1 mi
Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Civil War
0.1 mi
Manchester Courthouse
Industrial
0.4 mi
Springhill Historic District
Listed
0.5 mi
Manchester Industrial Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Industrial
0.6 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Bloody Run 1656
1656Colonial
1.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District listed on the National Register?

Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 15, 2002.

What type of historic resource is Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District?

Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District?

The period of significance for Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District is recorded as the civil_war era.

Can I research the history near Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District?

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